Learning khat is not about the Islamisation of vernacular schools, says Maszlee

Education Minister Maszlee Malik said the ministry's move to introduce khat writing for Year 4 Malay students was not aimed at "establishing Islamisation in vernacular schools.

He said people should not look at Jawi's introduction as cultural assimilation.

"I do not blame anyone who protests but some just like to criticise everything the government does," he told Malaysiakini when met at the University of Malaya Medical Center Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

The education ministry said in a statement Thursday that the introduction of khat writing was intended to foster a beautiful writing style.

In addition, Maszlee said the introduction of khat writing was an effort for school students to recognise the country's heritage and identity.

“When we introduce this writing, we must make sure it is close to the students and not something foreign.

For example, if we look at the ringgit note, the Jawi script means Malaysia. What's wrong if our students can read and understand that?" he asked.

Yesterday, the Education Ministry said it would proceed with the introduction despite some objections.

The ministry said khat was an integral part of Malaysia's national identity and Bahasa Melayu which was the national language and the language of unity.

"Apart from this, this form of writing appears on the coat of arms for Malaysia and her respective states," it said.

Chinese and Tamil education groups have voiced disapproval on grounds that it would create additional workload for vernacular school students.

A group of 138 DAP branch and division leaders, along with 11 state assemblypersons, have protested against the move on grounds that it would institutionalise and politicise the Jawi script.

Citing the mandatory use of Jawi script on signboards in Kelantan and Terengganu, the group said similar measures were being institutionalised in Pahang and Malacca. - Mkini